When my computer tries to run defrag or scandisk, a message appears,
another program is writing, please exit all other programs to help the
program to run faster. There are no other programs running and the
scandisk and defrag restart continually and never finish their task.
How can I fix this.
I have changed my email address to LizDunn@centurytel.net

Paul59..

Thank you for your question.  This issues you are running into are
very, very common for users of Windows.  Chances are, at around 10% of
complettion, you are getting the messages and it never can complete
the task.  There are a couple of things you can do to alleviate this
problem and continue with the degramentation of your hard drive.

First, hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and highlight all the applications that are
showing and choose "End Task" until all are gone EXCEPT Explorer and
Systray.  If this doesn't work, you can:

1) Boot into Safe Mode and run Defrag and Scandisk there.

To get into Safe Mode, restart your computer and keep tapping the F8
key until a screen appears that will have choices:

1.  Normal
2.  Command Prompt
3.  Safe Mode

and some other choices

Choose 2.  You will have to use your down arrow keys.  This will get
you into Safe Mode and you can run scandisk and defrag from there. 
When you reboot after the tasks are done, restart your computer and
you will boot back into normal Windows mode.

As a side note, if it gets to a point then goes back (for example it
gets to 69% then drops back to 44% several times) this is normal and
because it runs into a none moveable block and must rearrange programs
to fit into the area available.

I hope the above information is helpful.  If you need any additional
clarification, please let me know.

Regards,

-THV

Search Strategy:
defrag restart

References:
Wacky B
http://www.wackyb.co.nz/defrag.html

Scandisk and Defrag
http://www.dictacomm.com/HOW_DO/SCAN_DEFR.HTM

or do the registry trick as noted about halfway down the following page:
http://covenant-itr.hypermart.net/defrag.htm

I just have a few suggestions to add to the already posted (very good)
suggestions.
You should also temporarily disable any "power management" settings,
screensavers and anti-virus programs.  These can sometimes cause the
defrag to run in circles.